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Last week we reviewed the prospective benefits of a driverless car future, where computers and other sensors take charge and all we do is sit back and enjoy the ride. But there are concerns over privacy issues and hackers hijacking overly-computerized cars. Today we will evaluate the risks and other concerns over autonomous cars.

LiabilityIt’s already complicated enough in today’s world to determine who’s at fault in an automobile accident. Not only are the drivers involved, but other factors such as mechanical malfunctions, inclement weather and so forth. Can you imagine a collision involving a self driving car? Who would be liable? The car company? The software maker? This is a serious questions that would have to be answered before this technology becomes mainstream.

Security
Today, our concerns over car security mainly refer to unintended individuals getting physical access to our vehicle. We all fear our beloved cars being stolen or broken in, and we have some security devices in place to minimize these situations. However, driverless cars continuously broadcast their locations and have sensors that communicate back and forth with other cars, servers and their users. Security researchers have already hacked into vehicles computers using the OBD port (the one used for car diagnostics) and using cellular networks.

Legality
As always, our laws are the last elements of society to catch up with technology. Because of the fast paced nature of computer innovations, early regulations may have unintended consequences that may benefit or affect future developments. As of today, only a few states allow us to test autonomous cars in open roads, and the ones that do, require a human to be ready to take control of the car, which kills the whole purpose of it.

These concerns are just scratching the surface of what might come in the near future. Unsurprisingly, we won’t know the real risks until we put these things on the roads in great numbers. By then, hopefully the laws will me more relaxed and allow this technology to propagate faster. Keep your local dealership in mind when the time comes to purchase your self driving car!

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

On Monday March 31st, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a final rule that requires new visibility technology in new cars by May 2018. The technology refers to rear-view cameras, and gives drivers a wider viewing angle when backing up. The NHTSA says it implemented this new rule because of the injuries and fatalities associated with backing-up incidents. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said children under five and adults over seventy years old account for 57% of back-over deaths.

The rule will apply to all new vehicles over 10,000 pounds including vans and pick up trucks, so manufacturers will need to expand this technology across their lineups by 2018. The good news is many of today’s new cars are already using this new visibility enhancement. According to Edmunds.com, almost half of all new cars in 2012 were equipped with this technology and consumer demand seems to be on the rise. Ford already offers rear-view cameras in most of its models and so do other manufacturers.

Although the new requirement is aimed at protecting children and the elderly, some people are concerned this is yet another government intrusion. However, the Federal Government already regulates the automotive industry to make sure manufacturers adhere to high quality, safety and efficiency standards. Other government mandated safety features include seat belts, airbags and tire pressure monitors; all aimed at protecting consumers.

A quick visit to yourlocal car dealership will give you a better idea of the latest safety features, like cross-traffic alerts, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system, and many more.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.